Jason Perkins hopes to help La Salle to the UAAP title and finish his college career with a bang. Jaime Campos

LA Salle coach Aldin Ayo confirmed Jason Perkins has returned to the Green Archers, but made it clear the burly big man is no shoo and instead needs to earn his spot with the team in the UAAP.

Ayo said Perkins has joined practice twice after he made his decision to be part of the Green Archers pool and vie for the UAAP spot instead of playing in the PBA D-League and applying for the PBA draft.

But Ayo said he has made it clear to Perkins that he has to work hard for the spot against the other players who have been practicing for the team the past five months.

“He is back and he has been practicing twice now. Pero I told him that he has to earn his spot just to be fair with the guys who have been with us for the past five months since priority ko ‘yung mga ‘yun,” Ayo told reporters after La Salle defeated Ateneo, 98-66, in the Filoil preseason tournament.

Ayo lauded Perkins for trimming down and preparing his body for the fast-paced system of the Archers, which will implement consistent pressure defense as well as exploit transition opportunities on offense..

“If you’ll notice, laki ng pinayat niya pero wala kaming kinalaman dun. Siguro he is just preparing himself for the team,” said Ayo, who believes Perkins presents unique advantages to their team.